Pachinko/Min Jin Lee - 3 stars

[JoLene]

This is a multi-generational story of a Korean family who ends up living in Japan. In the early 1920's Japan has annexed Korea, but ends up giving up the territory after WWII. Many Koreans moved to Japan for better opportunities, only be stuck there after the war. The Japanese did not treat the Koreans well and many Koreans ended up in undesirable jobs like running Pachinko parlors (Japanese pinball like game of chance). This is all told through the story of Sunja, whose parents run a boardinghouse in Korea. Her father dies, but they manage to keep the business open. Then Sunja gets pregnant by a Korean fish trader who often visits the town. What she didn't know is that he actually lived in Japan and was already married with 3 daughters. One of their boarders, Isak, gets waylaid by illness on his way to Japan to start a career as a minister. He offers to marry her so they end up moving to Japan and living with his older brother and wife. Their lives are difficult, but the family bonds are strong.

I had pretty high expectations for this one --- multi-generational, historical fiction about a different place. However, for some reason, it just wasn't a compelling read for me. It took me the whole month to read. I did like the historical background, and the story was interesting enough, but I don't think I felt engaged with the characters. I admired the grit of Sunja and her sister-in-law but I just wasn't heavily invested as we moved past their story. At the end, I felt like there were random side stories that were thrown in for no good reason. I think that the other thing that bothered me was writing --- most of it was well written (view spoiler)[ but then many of the sex scenes were described in more vulgar terms, which seemed out of place. For example instead of using terms like breasts and bottom, it was tits and ass. I don't specifically have a problem with the terms, but it just seemed very out of place for the type of story that this was (hide spoiler)].

So, it's a mixed bag for me ---- I felt the beginning of the story was better than the end. I definitely enjoyed the historical setting. In the author's note, she explained that she had been thinking about aspects of this story for over 30 years. Her research definitely shows and she did a good job of weaving the context into the story. So, it didn't live up to my high expectations but I can't exactly pinpoint why I didn't engage with the characters.

[Amy]

I agreed with you on virtually every point. I found it disengaging as well. Like it weaved in and out for me.

[Joi]

I agree with a lot of your thoughts as well. I didn't really notice the out of place language- but I think it the book had just stopped after 2 parts, and left out the kids growing up the book would have ended up a full star rating higher for the majority of reviewers.

Sunja and Kyung-Hee were the only characters I felt like I was "rooting for". I think I felt it was more engaging than both you and Amy did, but it's probably just because of my personal connection with the subject.